I do prep. The subject of the EMP is one of the least understood. We aren't even sure what will happen to vehicles with computerized components since the only test was done pre-computers and the cars had to be returned in working order. As a result, they were exposed to field strengths only strong enough to stall them. A couple had to have radios replaced though. So we don't really know. As a general rule, pre-76 for some models, pre-73 (I think) for others. And you might still have to replace things like alternators and starters.
When I was trying to get solar on my house, I was looking at EMP hardened solar panels and equipment. I could have chosen those but it wouldn't have passed code inspection so it wouldn't have been installed, I would have had to have done it myself.
Another misconception is anything current electronics. Most of them have wires, etc too small to generate an electric field from an EMP. But power lines are like a magnet to the burst.
The way an EMP is formed is that the gamma rays will strike through the atmosphere and strip the electrons off of the atmosphere molecules and the magnetic wave will push them down, stripping more as it goes. The magnetic wave will generate electricity in wires and any insufficiently shielded cables/wires will pick up the electrons as they strike. The end result is a phenomenal amount of electricity that flows through so fast that not even surge protectors will work.
If you get the chance, read One Second After. It does a great job at showing what will happen in an EMP strike. Summary: We go back to the 1800s and 90% of the US population dies within 3 months. Those on medical interventions (diabetes, mental health, etc) will die quickly as their supplies run out. People will get desperate. Fights for supplies and resources will start. It's a good book and worth the read.
If you get the chance, read One Second After.
Dude! I just started reading that last night. I finished the Traveler series by Tom Abrahams and the After the Fall series by David Nees, and figured I'd keep going in that vein.
lulz, fail. All that will do is waste a little bit of aluminum foil
An EMP (let's face it, that's what we're really talking about here) will get beyond tens of thousands of volts. A 6 foot length of wire in the vertical orientation will collect/generate over 10,000 volts during an EMP. Additionally, the frequencies and strengths are all over the scale from the moment of start to completion. Aluminum foil is too thin to guard against that.
Internal things must be insulated from the container walls.
The exterior can be mesh, but does not have to be but it MUST seal on the outside seams. They kind of mention this.
Aluminum covers itself in oxide which is not much of a conductor - the critical component is that the side exposed to the EMP must be capable of allowing the electrical pulse to flow over it while blocking enough of the magnetic portion to protect what's inside. So when they say "the conductive layer reflects incoming fields", they are 100% wrong.
Depending on where you put your cage and how you set it up, it might have to be grounded but if you ground it and it shouldn't be, you're still going to fry everything inside.
An EMP is orders of magnitude stronger than a cell signal and has a magnetic component as well as an electrical one. Wires inside the cage will still generate electricity unless it can block the magnetic field.
Micro-electronics are safe unless they're plugged in hence do not need a faraday cage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHK6Uqmzog
On that note, solar panels are 100% safe from an EMP if they're not plugged in and/or the wires are not protected (as seen in the previous video).
Anti-static bags do NOT protect against EMP events. Period.
Garbage cans don't work either.
I love it when someone tries to write these things and they haven't done the full amount of research required. It just tickles me to no end.